Most parents end up with lots of clothes because children grow up visibly in the first few years of life. Some decide to sell clothes that are too small, while others prefer to keep them for any children they will have in the future, or even their own grandchildren. Do you want to do this too? Take care of them, otherwise the clothing will be damaged and cannot be worn when needed.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Container
Step 1. Store your clothes in a cardboard box
Most people who decide to put them aside prefer to use this container, because it is easy to label, stack and move. However, it does not guarantee that the garments will be in perfect condition when you take them back.
- Cardboard boxes should be stored in a dry and dry place so that the material does not deteriorate due to moisture and does not develop mold, which could damage clothes.
- It is not ideal to cover the inside of the box (of whatever material it is) with a plastic bag, because it can retain moisture and therefore become moldy.
Step 2. Use a plastic container to store clothes
As with cardboard boxes, plastic containers (with lids) are ideal for this purpose, because they are compact and easy to move. Here are some factors to keep in mind to use them:
- They should be kept away from sunlight, because over time they can cause exposed parts of clothing to fade.
- Although plastic containers protect clothes from air and dust, moisture can also make an appearance here. Consequently, it is important that they are completely dry before storing them this way.
Step 3. You could store them in an empty drawer
If you have space in a chest of drawers, you can use it to arrange your child's clothes. Unfortunately, hardly anyone has this convenience, because generally all the drawers are taken care of; moreover, it can happen that the clothes are placed in drawers located in different rooms, so it is difficult to organize them.
Step 4. Hang clothes that cannot be stored in a box
Garments accumulated over the course of a year can take up more space than you think, despite being small; in addition, the hangers themselves clutter. This method should only be used for storing clothing that would crease in a drawer or box.
Step 5. Tuck your clothes into the space-saving bags
Plastic bags are handy for storing clothing, especially when vacuum-packed. The items of clothing set aside in this way are well protected from dust and humidity, and then take up less space in the boxes. On the other hand, when you take them out they may be extremely crumpled.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare Clothes for Storage
Step 1. Decide which clothes to keep
Review all of your child's clothing before putting them away, and throw away any excessively frayed or stained clothing. You should only choose those in good condition.
Step 2. Wash all clothes before storing them
Storing dirty clothing will almost certainly get you into trouble. Unclean clothes, especially those stained with food, could attract a variety of insects, which will eat the fabric, make a nest in it or leave droppings everywhere.
- Mice, rats, and other pests may eat insects or food left on clothing stored in a garage, warehouse, or attic that you don't go to often.
- In addition, the dirt on your clothes may cause the development of persistent stains over time.
Step 3. Do your laundry following the instructions on the clothing labels
All clothing should be laundered and dried as recommended by the manufacturers. If the label is lost or you peeled it off, then it's best to play it safe: wash and dry this garment along with those of the same fabric.
Step 4. Decide whether or not you want to iron your clothes before storing them
Doing this before storing them is optional, as garments may still crease over time (even though they are hung in a special case). Some pests are attracted to the scent of the dressings used during ironing.
Step 5. Remove any metal buttons from clothing
Over time, they can corrode and stain clothing. Consequently, you should take them out and store them in another box. Put it in a safe place so you can stitch them up in the future.
Step 6. Divide the clothes into different bags or boxes
It is ideal to divide the garments into various categories, so that you can easily find them when you search for them in the future. You can do it by size (0-6 months, 6-12 months, etc.) or by season (summer and winter clothes).
Part 3 of 3: Keeping Clothes Clean and Tidy
Step 1. If possible, store them by spreading them out completely
Although it is possible to fit several clothes into a container after folding them, it is best to spread them out completely so that very few creases are created. This is important, as pressure from stacked garments over time can cause creases that are difficult to remove.
Step 2. Fold clothes where creases are least noticeable
If you really have to fold them to fit into the container, try to fold them in the parts where this will be less evident.
- Dresses or shirts of any type can be folded at the upper seam of the sleeves and on the part corresponding to the waist.
- Pants should be folded lengthwise. The elegant ones should be folded along the seams that are in the center of the legs, because in these parts there are already folds.
- If possible, do not crease in parts that wear out first, such as the knees, because otherwise they will be damaged sooner.
Step 3. Prevent the destructive intervention of pests
To keep insects and rodents out of your clothes, you can put a few mothballs or cedar wood balls inside them. They give off an annoying smell to most of these animals.
- When placing these protective elements in a cardboard box or plastic container, it is important to make sure that they do not actually come into contact with your clothing, as they could stain them over time.
- Instead, the clothes can be covered with an old towel, putting mothballs or cedar wood pieces on top, so they don't come into contact with the clothing.
Step 4. Decide where to store your clothes
The place where you will put them aside must be dark and dry, so as not to be damaged by humidity or light. The former can cause mold to appear, the latter cause clothing to fade.
- Avoid places that have extreme temperature changes, such as attics or garages.
- Better to choose an internal room, moving them away from the hot pipes or external walls, again to prevent damage. For example, put them under the bed or on a closet.
Step 5. Check your clothes every six months
Although you take all these precautionary measures to make sure they are in good condition when you take them out of the containers, an unforeseen event can occur that will end up ruining them. Consequently, it is important to examine their status every now and then.
- It's hard to know how often to check your clothes, but most problems typically show up in the first few months.
- After this time has elapsed, you can very well examine their condition every six months.
